Automatic long-life infrared emitter & locator system

Abstract

An Automatic Long-Life Infrared Emitter & Locator System which may be used to locate persons in need of assistance or marked objects is disclosed. Since the emitter (10) operates continuously and emanates infrared radiation (21) that can not be seen by the user, no affirmative action is required to activate the emitter (10). One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention (10) includes a flexible plastic or rubber housing (12) having an opening (15) that is specially shaped to fit over and to finly grasp a conventional electrical battery (16). A lens (18) residing on the top of the housing (12) passes invisible energy issuing from an infrared emitting diode (20) deployed beneath it. The diode (20) is connected to the battery (16) by leads (19) through a pulse control circuit (22). This circuit (22) produces intense and regular spikes of energy that cause the diode (20) to flash over a period of many weeks. The preferred embodiment (10) may be worn on a hiker's shirtsleeve (42) or hat (40), or may be installed on equipment carried by the hiker, such as a backpack (44). The invention may be attached to a boat (50), a car (52) or a skipole (46). This innovative device can be used to mark virtually any location, or could be employed to identify friendly troops on the battlefield. When combined with commercially available night vision equipment, the emitter (10) can help pinpoint any location that may not otherwise be perceived by the unaided eye.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic locating apparatus comprising: a molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) having a first end (13) and a second end (14); said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) also having an opening (15) disposed at said first end (13);   an electric dry cell battery (16); said electric dry cell battery (16) having an exterior shape which is generally matched to said opening (15) disposed at said first end (13) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said electric dry cell battery (16) being capable of fitting securely within said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12);   a pulse control circuit (22); said pulse control circuit (22) being mounted within said opening (15) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said pulse control circuit (22) also being connected to said electric dry cell battery (16); said pulse control circuit (22) including an on-off switch (24); said pulse control circuit (22) being capable of automatically producing a continuous periodic intermittent output (21) over a period of many weeks;   an infrared emitting diode (20); said infrared emitting diode (20) being connected to said electric dry cell battery (16) through said pulse control circuit (22);   a lens (18); said lens (18) being integrally formed on said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) at said second end (14) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) opposite said electric dry cell battery (16); said lens (18) being generally aligned with said infrared emitting diode (20); said lens (18) also being capable of passing said continuous periodic intermittent output (21) emanated by said infrared emitting diode (20);   an adhesive patch (26) attached to said electric dry cell battery (16) for affixing said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) on a desired location;   said continuous periodic intermittent output (21) being sufficiently bright to help locate said infrared emitting diode (20) without being visible to the unaided eye; and   said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) being suitable for use in combination with a swivel ring (76) that uses the weight of the lower end of said apparatus to maintain said diode (20) in an upright position in the event the person wearing said apparatus becomes incapacitated.   
     
     
       2. An electronic locating apparatus comprising: a molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) having a first end (13) and a second end (14); said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) also having an opening (15) disposed at said first end (13);   an electric dry cell battery (16); said electric dry cell battery (16) having an exterior shape which is generally matched to said opening (15) disposed at said first end (13) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said electric dry cell battery (16) being capable of fitting securely within said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12);   a pulse control circuit (22); said pulse control circuit (22) being mounted within said opening (15) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12); said pulse control circuit (22) also being connected to said electric dry cell battery (16); said pulse control circuit (22) including an on-off switch (24); said pulse control circuit (22) being capable of automatically producing a continuous periodic intermittent output (21) over a period of many weeks;   an infrared emitting diode (20); said infrared emitting diode (20) being connected to said electric dry cell battery (16) through said pulse control circuit (22);   a lens (18); said lens (18) being integrally formed on said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) at said second end (14) of said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) opposite said electric dry cell battery (16); said lens (18) being generally aligned with said infrared emitting diode (20); said lens (18) also being capable of passing said continuous periodic intermittent output (21) emanated by said infrared emitting diode (20);   an adhesive patch (26) attached to said electric dry cell battery (16) for affixing said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) on a desired location;   said continuous periodic intermittent output (21) being sufficiently bright to help locate said infrared emitting diode (20) without being visible to the unaided eye; and   said molded, lightweight, integrally-formed generally flexible housing (12) being suitable for deployment on a life jacket (92) and which is mounted so that it automatically swivels upward to aid sighting.